Train for Your Next Marathon in the adidas Boston 13

Although the 2025 World Major Marathon season hasn't officially commenced, countless runners across the globe are currently training for races in Tokyo, London, and other destinations. Soon, athletes will be able to add the long-anticipated adidas Boston 13 to their arsenal.

Expected to release throughout spring, the latest Boston has been years in the making. The line's 12th iteration debuted ahead of Summer 2023, providing a much-needed update to adidas Running's series. The Boston 12 returned the beloved franchise to some of the magic of the Boston 8 and 9, but longtime fans were still underwhelmed by the brand's direction. The Boston 13 seems poised to return to line to its glory with a number of updates.

Official tech specs for the latest Adizero offering haven't been confirmed by the Three Stripes as of yet, but official photos reveal several important changes from the Boston 12. The Adios Pro 4's LIGHTLOCK upper isn't featured on the new training model. Instead, a lightweight mesh–presumably a 'Cellar Mesh 4.0'–appears on the model, resembling that found on the Supernova Rise. Reinforcing synthetic panels take over the toe, with nearby eye-stays offering a new layout that's likely to address runners' concerns from the previous adidas Boston. The tongue is also much more substantial than what's been found on the series–and Adizero range–over the last four years, delivering a much-needed improvement to the running shoe.

Updates aren't isolated to the upper. Underfoot, a combination of LIGHTSTRIKE PRO and (presumably) LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0 offers a new cushioning solution. Like its predecessor, the Boston 13 features a slab of the Three Stripes' premier foam between the upper and outsole. But the amount of LIGHTSTRIKE PRO cushioning is greater than on the Boston 12, with the material being packed under the forefoot. Firmer LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0, then, appears towards the heel, revealing the glass fiber ENERGYRODS 2.0's stability 'wing' on the lateral profile. The midsole's medial side reveals the entire foam setup only has 36 millimeters of stack height; the Boston 12 featured 38mm.

Outsoles have also been reworked to match other Adizero products. LIGHTTRAXION strips are found throughout the bottom, favoring much of the shoe's outside forefoot area. The medial heel also opts for Adidas' proprietary grip solution, as has the Adios 9 and Adios Pro 4. Tried-and-proven Continental rubber, however, divvies up real estate with the LIGHTTRAXION material, taking over under the ball of the foot and the lateral heel. Together, both compounds deliver reliable traction in a lightweight package. The extensive coverage is perfect for the Boston 13's intended use, which is long run training at marathon effort.

The new-and-improved running model is set to debut via adidas.com soon. Launch colorways include a classic 'Core Black/Cloud White' look, as well as a vibrant 'Lucid Lemon' option for women; more styles are expected to land throughout 2025. The Boston 13 should be priced at $160.

For more from the Three Stripes, check out the adidas Samba Jane, a blend of football heritage and balletcore trendiness.